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Archived News:
Does a performance drop in 'F.E.A.R.' point to larger PC gaming problem? on
News.com is a blog about a major performance hit in F.E.A.R. that they've
traced back to the use of USB peripherals. Though unsure of whether this
problem impacts other games, they have, however, confirmed the F.E.A.R. glitch,
and have word that owners of Logitech mice and keyboards will get a fix in the
form of updated SetPoint drivers. Here's the deal: Before we had any idea
it was an input issue, we simply saw F.E.A.R. scores tank during testing on an
otherwise powerful PC. Alongside our trusty lab technician Joseph Kaminski, the
guys from Maingear and Nvidia technical marketing director Nick Stam narrowed it
down to the input devices, largely based on the suggestions of the Nvnews forum
thread. We were afraid that Nvidia would bow out at this point, since the
slowdown didn't appear tied to a 3D driver like we initially thought. We're glad
we were wrong. As Nick wrote me two weeks ago: "I'm still very interested in
understanding the pure technical reasons, as this is definitely one of the
strangest issues I've seen in a long time."
With Nvidia working on the problem independently, we then moved on to Logitech
and Saitek, neither of whom had heard of the issue. We're still waiting to hear
back from Saitek's technical team (which has been traveling), but Logitech's was
available and got back to us quickly. It doesn't appear that Logitech's SetPoint
mouse and keyboard software caused the issue (it wasn't installed on the
Maingear PC during testing), but from what we've heard, a forthcoming SetPoint
update will fix the problem.
We're glad that Logitech hardware owners, at least, may have a solution, but
we'd still like to know what exactly causes the slowdown, and whether it affects
other games. We have a meeting with Sierra (one of F.E.A.R.'s developers) at E3
this week, so we'll definitely be asking them in person.
Of the vendors we've talked to so far, all of them remain interested. That gives
us faith that the problem will get the attention it needs. We were frustrated,
though, when we saw people had posted about this issue in official and
unofficial forums as long as 10 months ago. Apparently it takes a while for the
wisdom of crowds to sink in.
The National Institute on Media and the Family has released a series of
recommendations "for Future Video Game Research, Education and Public Policy."
The announcement offers a sampling, ranging from the sublime ("incorporate into
video game ratings information for consumers about the potential beneficial
effects of video games") to the ridiculous ("Establish dedicated educational
programs for the judiciary system on how scientific research establishes
probabilistic conclusions about causality and translating scientific research
for court opinions / decisions"). Here goes: MINNEAPOLIS – Stating
progress has been made but additional research is needed, the National Institute
on Media and the Family and researchers from Iowa State University today
released a detailed report with recommendations from its National Summit on
Video Games, Youth and Public Policy. The report’s recommendations on video game
research, education and public policy were a result of the collaboration of
academic scholars, public health officials, and child health advocates who
discussed the health and psychological impact of violent and sexually explicit
video games on children and the current rating system.
“This report serves as a ‘best practices’ repository for researchers and
policymakers,” said Dr. Craig Anderson of Iowa State University. “The report
breaks new academic ground and offers new ideas for policymakers, public health
advocates and parents.”
“Future research, including studies regarding the effects of media violence on
children, will be well-served by this report,” added Dr. Douglas Gentile of Iowa
State University. “The next step is to make these recommendations a reality.”
Among the recommendations listed in the report:
• Involve parental input and research, including how to
make video game content descriptors more effective and useful.
• Identify reasons why parents disregard the M-rating
(Mature, for age 17 and older).
• In addition to negative effects of violent video games,
incorporate into video game ratings information for consumers about the
potential beneficial effects of video games that offer positive attributes.
• Encourage scientific organizations to file amicus briefs,
or friend-of-the-court briefs, in support of court cases involving video game
sales restrictions.
• Establish dedicated educational programs for the
judiciary system on how scientific research establishes probabilistic
conclusions about causality and translating scientific research for court
opinions / decisions.
• Make the message of harm from violent video game playing
more consistent within and among scientists, public health organizations, the
video gaming industry, and educational institutions, particularly at the
elementary school levels, to help parents and their children clearly understand
violent video game effects.
“These recommendations were designed to protect families from gratuitous
violence and sex in video games and assist the ESRB in enhancing its ratings
enforcement and educational efforts,” said Dr. David Walsh, president of the
National Institute on Media and the Family. “While great strides have been made
in improving ratings education and enforcement, more work is needed to address
the rise of violence in video games.”
Walsh praised the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s recent decision to issue
Take-Two’s Manhunt 2 an “Adults-Only” rating and its crackdown on video game
trailers. He said it’s proof that the ESRB has made significant progress in
keeping extremely violent and graphic materials out of children’s hands.
The National Summit on Video Games, Youth and Public Policy was held in November
2006. Participants included Patricia Vance of the ESRB, Jeff McIntyre of the
American Psychological Association and U.S. Representative Betty McCollum.
The full report, including a full list of summit participants, is available on
the National Institute on Media and the Family’s Web site,
www.mediafamily.org/videogame2006summit.
Merscom announces an October release for Trainz Railwayz in North America,
combining two new Trainz games with a newly Vista-compatible edition of Trainz
Railroad Simulator: CHAPEL HILL, NC – July 10, 2007 – Merscom announced
today that it will publish the PC title Trainz Railwayz for North American
retail. Trainz Railwayz will combine two new titles in the Trainz line of games,
and will also include as a bonus the best-selling Trainz Railroad Simulator
(modified to be compatible with Windows Vista™). Available late fall in major
retail locations, the game, which is actually three complete games, will retail
for only $19.99 USD.
Trainz Railways includes two new titles from the Trainz line of games: Harlem
Line Edition and the Metropolis Edition.
The Harlem Line Edition is a representation of New York's Harlem Line.
Activities will consist of historically accurate commuter and departmental
operations typical of those seen from the early 80s to the present day. Each
session is designed to reflect the real-life atmosphere of the locality and the
services.
The Metropolis Edition, designed by Roger Cabo, is among the most stunning
displays of Trainz ever created, focused on a modern city tramway and with
beautifully realistic graphics.
"Trainz Railroad Simulator was a tremendous success last year, selling over
50,000 copies, and I am sure Trainz Railwayz will resonate even better both with
traditional gamers and train enthusiasts,” said Lloyd Melnick, Chief Customer
Officer for Merscom. “Trainz Railwayz is a great bundle, combining two stunning
new games with a hit title. It is a great value for either someone new to the
Trainz franchise or somebody already enjoying Trainz.”
“We are very excited about the release of our new series because it will appeal
to both our loyal online following and also to our more casual users,” said
Graham Edelsten, Director of Auran Games. “Trainz Railwayz is a great collection
that allows users to simulate unique periods in railroad history while still
having a great time. Whether users are just beginning or have been playing
Trainz for years, Trainz Railwayz provides seemingly endless amounts of
entertainment.”
Codemasters announces that new ArchLord players with the boxed retail edition of
the MMORPG will receive a bonus of 6,000 in-game credits, stressing this applies
to new accounts and retail product purchases: Codemasters Online Gaming is
pleased to announce that every new account started using a retail version of the
game now receives 6,000 credits. All you need to do is simply buy the retail
version of the game, create a new account and you will receive 6,000 credits to
get you started in the world of Chantra.
- Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures on
Eurogamer.
- Assassin's Creed on
IGN.
- Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising on
GameSpy.
- Mercenaries 2: World in Flames on
Games Radar.
Electronic Arts serves up some information on the upcoming games in their
collaboration with Steven Spielberg, revealing one title will be available on
PCs, an action/adventure that currently does not carry a release date. Word is
the game "puts you in the leading role of an emotional journey where your
actions tell the tale. Set against the backdrop of an epic story, the game
focuses on a touching and ever-changing relationship between you and a
mysterious female character who holds the key to many futures." Here's the whole
shebang: LOS ANGELES, CALIF., July 10, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc.
(NASDAQ: ERTS) today revealed the first details surrounding two of the three new
original intellectual properties in development at EA Los Angeles (EALA) in
collaboration with Academy Award® winning director and producer, Steven
Spielberg.
"I am a gamer myself and game development has always intrigued me,” said Steven
Spielberg. “Now I’ve been able to jump in and do it, enjoying the creative
collaboration with the EALA team on our first two games and I feel we have two
incredibly unique projects in development.”
“Steven’s vision as both a storyteller and a gamemaker makes partnering with him
an incredible experience,” noted General Manager Neil Young. “Together we’re
making games that are unique and that we feel will each move the medium in their
own way.”
As an exclusive for the Wii™ from Nintendo, the first of the two projects will
allow for players of all ages to compete in over a hundred challenging,
action-packed interactive games that take blocks to a new level of creativity
and fun for single player, co-op, and versus gameplay. Additionally, use the Wii
remote to build your own fun games and structures or turn the same Wii remote
into a destructive tool to bring them crashing down.
The second, and more ambitious project in development, is a contemporary
action-packed adventure that puts you in the leading role of an emotional
journey where your actions tell the tale. Set against the backdrop of an epic
story, the game focuses on a touching and ever-changing relationship between you
and a mysterious female character who holds the key to many futures. The game is
in development for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360™
videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PC. No ship timeframe has
been disclosed.
“Through our partnership we are delivering games that are not only engaging and
compelling with interactivity, but we hope can also move people emotionally,”
noted Young.
“I am truly enjoying the creative collaboration and we hope that gamers will be
as excited as we are about what we can bring to the medium through our shared
vision,” added Spielberg.
Sierra Online announces details on three games, offering new information on the
XBLA edition of Switchball and the Battlestar Galactica game, while announcing
Commanders: Attack, a turn-based strategy game with a retro feel due for release
this fall: Sierra Online, a division of Vivendi Games, has released the
first details and artwork for three of its upcoming titles – Switchball, an
inventive physics-based puzzle game, Commanders: Attack!, a turn-based tactical
military game, and Battlestar Galactica, a space combat game inspired by the
popular TV series.
Coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade late this summer and currently available for the PC
on popular online gaming portals, Switchball challenges players to control an
ever-changing ball along a narrow and challenging course suspended in midair. A
polymorphous ball exhibits different physical characteristics as it changes form
as either a standard Marbleball, a feather-light Airball, an electrically
charged Powerball or a dense and powerful Metalball. Players will have to solve
their way through challenging levels packed with tricky obstacles, traps and
mazes. With beautifully rendered 3D environments including Skyworld, Iceworld,
Caveworld, Cloudworld and Lavaworld, Switchcball features an advanced physics
engine, allowing players to interact with objects just as they would in the real
world.
Commanders: Attack! is a gripping turn-based tactical game with a combination of
strategic troop placement and entertaining head-to-head warfare. Featuring a
1930’s art deco look and feel, players will use missile launchers, bombers and
infantry to amputate the enemies’ defenses and conquer the land. Players can
choose to challenge the computer AI in a 15-mission campaign across three
different landscapes or battle against three friends either locally or online in
four intense multiplayer modes - Versus, Team Play, Player vs. CPU or
same-system Skirmish. Commanders: Attack! will be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade
and Windows PC this fall.
Inspired by the hit television series, Battlestar Galactica, airing on the SCI
FI Channel, Battlestar Galactica is an action-packed top-down space combat game
set in the universe of the hugely popular sci-fi television show. Players can
take part in enormous multiplayer space battles with up to eight players online
or play through the single-player campaign that includes memorable missions from
the TV series. Pilots can either sign up to defend the Galactica or play as the
ruthless Cylons as they seek to remove the human race from existence. With full
3D graphics to show off the detailed ships and cosmic environments, Battlestar
Galactica allows players to fly four Human and four Cylon ships from the Viper
II to the Cylon raider, each with unique weapon capabilities. Battlestar
Galactica will be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, as well as Windows PC this
fall.
Following the earlier report of PC plans for Mirror's Edge, comes the game's
official announcement, confirming the PC is one of the platforms for DICE's
upcoming project, along with "next generation consoles" (the PS4, Xbox 720, and
the WiiWii?): Redwood City, CA. – July 10th 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc.,
(NASDAQ: ERTS) today confirmed that it has a new game in development for next
generation consoles and the PC at its EA DICE studio in Stockholm. Mirror’s
Edge™ is a revolutionary new take on the First Person Action Adventure category.
Patrick Soderlund, General Manager of EA DICE, commented: “We are a studio that
believes in taking risks and taking games in new directions. We made the sandbox
experience viable and enjoyable in Battlefield and now, we are looking to do
something radical with the traditional established mechanics of first person
movement.”
Senior producer, Owen O’Brien, commented: “We want to change the way that
players are able to move in first person. No more restrictions, no more being
blocked by simple barriers such as walls and fences. We want to enable the
player to move like a real person, with the ability to run, jump, vault and
slide in a way that has never been seen before in a first person game."
Mirror’s Edge will ship in calendar year 2008 for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer
entertainment system, Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system and for the
PC and is being developed at EA DICE in Stockholm, Sweden. This product is not
yet rated by PEGI or ESRB. For more information on EA DICE, please visit
www.dice.se or
www.ea.com.
GameSpy has word on plans for The Lord of the Rings Online: The Eye of the
Iron Crown, an upcoming free expansion for Turbine's MMORPG. According the
report, the add-on will include Book 10 in the game's epic storyline, over 100
new quests, a dozen new monsters, new dungeons, as well as a new reputation and
bartering system, "session play" for Rangers and Trolls, and "critter play,"
which is illegal in many states. No release date for the expansion is offered.
Altar, Cenega, and Ascaron announce UFO: Trilogy, which bundles UFO: Aftermath,
UFO: Aftershock, and UFO: Afterlight, offering three times the alien-hating
strategy in a single box that's due on August 31: This collection of three
titles from the critically acclaimed UFO series takes you on a voyage from Earth
to Mars! Enjoy hours of gameplay in this combination of squad based tactical
action and global strategy.
UFO: Aftermath will pit you against an alien threat. Use all of your skills and
abilities to defend planet Earth from destruction. Fight against mutant and
alien invaders, research new technologies, develop incredible devices and
powerful weapons to help you in your war against the uninvited marauders.
UFO: Aftershock The year is 2054. The surface of Earth has become uninhabitable.
Retreating to the flying haven of the Laputa, the remnants of humankind cling to
existence. A human revolt aboard the Laputa escalates into a conflict that
destroys the colony. Now, the remaining survivors flee once again. Can they
reclaim the Earth from the unknown forces that chased them into the skies?
UFO: Afterlight takes alien warfare to another time and place. Mankind has been
dealt a cruel blow. We have lost our homeworld. And yet, we are not defeated.
Now, we fight for the survival of our race. Now, we fight to conquer a new home
for mankind – planet Mars!
UFO: Features
- Global strategy and tactical action
- Develop characters with strong RPG elements
- Strategic resource and base management
- Research weapons, equipment and technologies
- Extensive tactics with building interiors, rough terrain, variable heights,
destructible environments, thermo vision and much more
- Intricate diplomacy options
- Terrifying enemies and powerful allies
- Employ psionic assaults
- Authentic physics model
The UFO: Trilogy pack is guaranteed to be a highly collectable purchase, with
the boxed release including the 3 complete game DVDs, game poster, a collection
of postcards and a UFO booklet.
UFO: Trilogy releases on the 31st August 2007 on PC DVD-ROM.
DICE reveals
Mirror's Edge details is a story from a couple of days ago that doesn't
really offer much in the way of the promised details, outlining a new
first-person game in the works at DICE previously known by the working title
Project Faith they say is "believed to be in development for next-generation
consoles." GameDaily
now has a story up about the game, called "a revolutionary new take on the First
Person Action Adventure category," that says the PC is actually one of the
game's target platforms, saying the "the game will appear on Xbox 360,
PlayStation 3 and PC sometime during 2008." Update: The PC edition of the
game has been officially announced ( story).
The Unofficial
World of Warcraft Forums have word that World of Warcraft version 2.1.3 is
now available (thanks Ant). A couple of tweaks and fixes are involved,
including a much longer expiration time for read in-game mail.
K2 Network announces that Sword of the New World: Granado Espada, their "epic
Age of Exploration MMORPG" is now live. The game is available at UK retailers,
and will be available for download this week. Here's word, which includes
details on the game's multi-tiered pricing structure (including a free option),
and enough mentions of their URL it could be applied directly to the
forehead: IRVINE, Calif. – (July 10, 2007) – K2 Network, Inc. (www.k2network.net),
an online game publisher today announced that its epic Age of Exploration MMORPG
Sword of the New World: Granado Espada will be available in download in North
America and Europe this week. The game is available at
www.swordofthenewworld.com.
“With its unique and compelling gameplay that caters to both the seasoned and
novice MMORPG player, Sword of the New World fits into K2 Network’s unique
vision of Gamers First”, said Grantley Day, Vice President of Product
Development at K2 Network. “Sword of the New World is destined to become top of
many players wish list in 2007.”
Sword of the New World: Granado Espada is an Age of Exploration fantasy MMORPG
that is the first of its kind to include Multi Character Control. With a full
spectrum of features including character customization, large-scale maps and
breathtaking graphics, Sword of the New World has the ability to capture
anyone’s heart. Taking place in the Age of Exploration when European colonists’
forayed into the new world, this detailed game is full of mystery and danger
while players go on a hunt for treasure, adventure, and most importantly, fame.
Sword of the New World: Granado Espada is free to download at
www.swordofthenewworld.com.
Players have the following packages to choose from:
Pay2Play CD Networks Premium Package-$19.99
The official download partner for Sword of the New World: Granado Espada, CD
Networks, offers a premium package with a one-time fee of $19.99 and includes a
fast download of the client, an exclusive UPC character, 10,000 VIS (in-game
currency) and the first month subscription fee included ($8.95 a month
thereafter). This package also includes full game access, trading and auction
support with no level cap. Players who already have the client downloaded and
installed can also purchase this package without having to re-install the
client. To sign up for this package visit
www.swordofthenewworld.com.
Pay2Play Monthly Subscription Package-$8.95
Players who want the basic monthly subscription package can purchase it for an
$8.95 monthly fee.
This package includes full game access, trading and auction support with no
level cap and the ability to purchase in-game items. To sign up for this package
visit www.swordofthenewworld.com.
Free2Play™
Players can download and play Sword of the New World: Granado Espada for free
and play up to level 20. Players can continue playing for free indefinitely;
however, will not gain experience points past level 20. To download the game
visit www.swordofthenewworld.com.
For more information about Sword of the New World: Granado Espada please visit
http://www.swordofthenewworld.com
DreamCatcher and JoWooD announce plans for a retail release of Painkiller:
Overdose, which was originally characterized as a grassroots modification, in
spite of being created by Mindware Studios, a commercial developer. Confusingly
described as a prequel that will also tie up loose ("wandering") ends from
Painkiller, the game is set to hit store shelves this October: Toronto,
Canada; Vienna, Austria. July 10th, 2007. DreamCatcher Interactive / JoWooD
Productions Software AG today announced their plans to publish Painkiller:
Overdose for Windows®. With a worldwide release date set for October 2007,
Painkiller: Overdose marks the return of the popular high-energy, frantic-styled
gameplay that made the original Painkiller such a huge hit.
Originally born as a grassroots development project by Mindware Studios,
DreamCatcher and JoWooD are fully endorsing the project. By providing full
financial and publisher support, Mindware will now receive additional technology
and assets in order to move Overdose from a simple community mod to a
full-fledged retail-ready gaming experience.
“We are thrilled to be endorsing this project and look forward to working
closely with Mindware Studios,” said Albert Seidl, President and CEO for the
JoWooD Group. “The excitement from Painkiller fans around the world is mounting
and we will be happy to deliver what they’ve been waiting for!”
Packed with tons of fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled single player and multiplayer
levels of mayhem, Painkiller: Overdose brings with it 6 innovative new demonic
weapons, mind-bending physics, lightning-player maps, over 40 demented and
sickly-twisted monsters from Hell and gigantic end bosses that will blow your
mind!.
Game Features:
• A Prequel to the eventual Sequel bridges the storyline
and ties up wandering ends.
• Overdose introduces a new character and storyline that
examines the repercussions of Daniel defeating Lucifer in the original
Painkiller!
• 16 NEW levels of fast-paced pain-killing action!
• 6 New demonic weapons grant the powers of a demi-god to
souls awaiting damnation everywhere!
• Crafted and designed completely by Mindware Studios;
long-time advocates and fans of the game.
• A reshuffled Tarot deck infuses Belial with new powers
and devastating combinations.
• An innovative direction in the Painkiller universe!
• Over 40 demented and sickly-twisted monsters from Hell
New End Bosses of colossal statures standing guard over Hell's crumbling domain
and the entrances to the other realms!
• A revitalized commitment to multiplayer introduces a
series of stats tracking features and game server options intended to revamp the
multiplayer experience.
• Multiplayer compatibility with original Painkiller
multiplayer maps and game modes!
Please visit: www.projectoverdose.com
for more information.
Ping0 announces the "opening" of closed beta testing of Mythos, Flagship
Seattle's upcoming MMORPG. Testing will commence on July 10, so those interested
in participating should head over to
this page, prove they are
over 18 by clicking the checkbox, and signing up. Here are the
details: SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., (July 10, 2007) Ping0, LLC, a
joint-venture between Flagship Studios and HanbitSoft, Inc., today announced the
opening of a closed beta program for the highly anticipated massively
multiplayer online role-playing game Mythos™ developed by Flagship Studios
Seattle.
The program will commence with the first Mythos beta test on July 10th which
will officially begin the beta test phase across the globe. During testing,
eager fans will be given their first look of the online world of Mythos. The
game will be tested in multiple phases and the first set of beta testers will be
notified by Flagship Studios via email. To join the closed beta, interested
gamers should sign up at the official site
http://www.mythos.com/join_kingdom.jsp
“The opening of the closed beta program is a real milestone in the development
of Mythos,” said Phil Shenk, Creative Director of Mythos and founding member of
Flagship Studios, “With its simple pick-up-and-play gameplay and an
ever-expanding universe, the beta test will offer players their first
opportunity to experience the Mythos universe before the commercial release
later this year.”
Mythos is an online, action role-playing game that is free to download and free
to play. Set in the land of Uld – a fantasy world arising from the ashes of an
epoch-long war of darkness – players assume the roles of fantasy heroes as they
explore, adventure, and quest through entirely randomized dungeons and
environments. With an elegant point-and-click interface and an accessible
“isometric” perspective, Mythos is poised to have near-universal appeal. The
game allows thousands of players to interact within the same world while using
mostly “instanced” dungeons to create unique gaming experiences suited for both
solo and group-minded players.
As players journey into Mythos’ ever-expanding universe, they select one of
three races (Humans, Satyrs, or Gremlins) and opt to play as a particular
character class using a huge variety of skills and items. Through heroic quests
players search for gold, gems, armor, and weapons, while unlocking the secrets
of Uld. Mythos presents a constantly expanding, continuously updated world where
something new lurks around every corner.
Mythos is an online role-playing game developed by Flagship Seattle, a
subsidiary of Flagship Studios. Mythos is currently exercising the online
technology and services behind the multiplayer component of the
highly-anticipated action role-playing game Hellgate: London. Mythos will be
digitally distributed in North America and Europe in 2007 by Ping0. HanbitSoft,
Flagship Studios’ partner in Ping0, will be responsible for distributing Mythos
in Asia.
A second demo for Delaware St. John Volume 3: The Seacliff Tragedy offers
another chance to sample the latest installment in this survival/horror series.
The download is available from
Lighthouse Interactive and mirrored on
Gamer's Hell.
- Call of Duty 4
The Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare E3 2007
trailer is available on
3D Downloads,
FileFront, and
Gamer's Hell, showing off the upcoming installment in Infinity Ward's
military shooter sequel.
- Medal of Honor: Airborne
Planet
Medal of Honor has linked to a video they found on YouTube that seems to
be the final "flak tower" encounter from Medal of Honor: Airborne.
- Need for Speed: ProStreet
A video diary and a trailer are
now online for Need for Speed: ProStreet, showing off and discussing the
upcoming return of the street racing series. The GT-R Proto trailer is
available on
FileFront and
Gamer's Hell, and the diary video is available on
Gamer's Hell.
- Haze
A second diary movie from Haze offers a further look
and discussion of Free Radical's game, showing the preparations for
demonstrating the game at the Ubidays event. The diary is available on
Ubisoft's FTP and mirrored on
FileFront and
Gamer's Hell.
- The Settlers: Rise Of An Empire
This
Ubisoft FTP
directory offers three gameplay movies from The Settlers: Rise Of An
Empire, with footage of the upcoming strategy/management series. Thanks
Gamer's Hell.
The
Global Conflicts: Palestine Q&A on Strategy Informer talks with Simon
Egenfeldt-Nielsen of Serious Games about Global Conflicts: Palestine, their
politically charged serious game: "It was really quite a mix. We wanted to make
a serious games that appealed to both non-gamers, gamers and educators
something that had an agenda beyond entertainment and could show that games can
do more that the mainstream game industry suggests. We thought global conflicts
would work really well, and looking at the conflicts around the globe, one
really stood out. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict seems to go on and on,
attracting a lot of people's attention. Many is interested but only get to the
quick fixes from newspapers and television. We thought that through the game we
could reach people in a different and engaging way that would give people a
better understanding of the conflict while not being bored or overwhelmed by the
complexity. Also, we really felt that the conflict had a lot of interesting and
suitable conflicts that could work in the game environment and setup that we
envisioned early on."
- Sword Of The New World: Granado Espada on
Games32.
GameTap announces the promised launch of
the Macintosh wing of this online gaming distribution service, saying their
expansion into the Mac community reflects a "commitment to being the premier
destination for people who love to play games." Word is: The availability
of GameTap for the Mac is made possible through the use of TransGaming’s Cider
portability engine, which enables PC games to run on Intel-based Macs. With
TransGaming’s Cider technology, all of GameTap’s free and Gold level membership
features will run on all Intel-based Macs including Mac Books and Mac Minis.
Should Microsoft initiate an Xbox 360 recall? Does your 360 scratch disks? And
what about Naomi?
Sony has a strong recent history of edgy advertising, or as
Pardon Me, But How Do You Say 'WTF' In Hindi?, the latest LevelUp blog
points out, not just pushing the envelope, but "obliterating the envelope." That
post shows a recent print ad from India for the PlayStation 2 featuring a
girl giving a boy an earful of yada yada, offering tagline we never thought we'd
see in an ad: "PS2: Because Your Girlfriend Bores You S--tless."
-
ATARI reveals plans to release Master of Orion 2 and Master of Orion 3
via digital download. Thanks Suet…
It's been freaky hot here the past few days, but in this case, "here" is not
just New York or the northeast, but the entire USA and beyond. In fact the past
couple of days I've seen national weather maps in TV forecasts that show every
spot in the country in red, one meteorologist making the "hell" analogy. It's not
that bad, as it certainly could get worse, but it's not good either. When the
revamped E3 was announced for July, scheduling an event for mid-summer in
southern California seemed ill-advised, but I don't think anyone imagined just
how bad an idea that would turn out to be, after all, today's forecast for L.A.
calls for a high of 77, while today's local forecast's high is 92. Wait a
second... you mean I could fly to the Mojave desert and it would be cooler than
here? Yeesh!!!!
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